The Corsa is fine for self-arrest but the head is too light to get any purchase in firm snow or ice with the pick. So if you need an ax to swing at all or to use in dagger position, I don't think the Corsa is the best choice.

I'm not a fan of either. The lightweight craze goes too far in some circumstances. Try getting purchase in 2 feet of powder with solid ice underneath with either and you'll be unhappy. Either spend twice as much on an ergonomically designed axe with low weight or go with a beefy but half the price Omega Pacific type axe omegapac.com/op_alpine_axes.ht... and be safer. I've never been on snow with the BD Raven Pro that I wouldn't have felt just as comfortable on as I would have with a pair of trekking poles.

Just my two cents but those BDs are wastes of money IMHO. I've had them and sold them.

Yeah I ended buying the Raven instead of the Raven Pro just because many others saying it's too light to chop step comparing to the original Raven version! Also, the spike of the Raven Pro is not as sharp as the Raven, so that may cause some trouble when one tries to penetrate some ice!

CF, can you comment further how and in what sort of conditions you have used the Corsa Nanotech? I have one I use for ski mountaineering in the Sierra but so far I have only used it for self belay going up steep snow chutes.

CF, can you comment further how and in what sort of conditions you have used the Corsa Nanotech? I have one I use for ski mountaineering in the Sierra but so far I have only used it for self belay going up steep snow chutes.

Yep, when I am not inclined to bring crampons especially it has provided a great measure of security for very little weight. Am now sold on the slight curve in the shaft as well--makes for much better swing and grip whether held at the head or bottom.

It is not an ice tool, but it is a technical mountaineering tool, pick and spike are very sharp, and penetrate well.

The big thing is I have gone with the 50cm length, which has really worked out well as it is the perfect length for steep and scary slopes and i use poles on anything else anyway.

corsa is nice light, but more often than not quite useless. its more of the kind of axe you won if you own a quiver of axes. if you want to have just one axe go with the bd. The raven pro is the way to go unless you PLAN to do a lot of chopping.....who chops steps these days anyway? not me

corsa nanotech is awesome but for a first/only axe id go raven. if you're close to competent on snow/ice then go the nanotech with xlc crampons (if your on all snow. stick with steel if your gonna be on rock.) and watch your buddies melt with jealousy when your spiky stuff weighs less then half of what theirs does.

I have a Corsa. It's a lightweight aluminum axe, so it comes along when I'm tempted to not take anything over the summer.

These are totally different tools, IMO. The Raven (Pro) is a true mountaineer's tool, a classic piolet, lightweight, and true to its function under all conditions. The Corsa is a lightweight tool, more something a hiker would use, only worth using on melting snow.